Championship entries open

Toyota Gazoo Racing New Zealand has opened entries for the second Bridgestone GR86 Championship, which attracted grids of more than 24 cars at each round of its inaugural season.

The six-round championship, which will run as a featured category in the NextGen national championship series, includes two dates at Hampton Downs, one at Manfeild, visits to Teretonga and Highlands in the South Island, and will conclude with the Supercars round at Taupo Motorsport Park.

Hugo Allan secured the title with just one race remaining in the first campaign and organisers say interest in the next edition of the championship is at an unprecedented level.

Drivers from the inaugural Toyota 86 Trophy Series, rookies and regulars from last season and new and upcoming driving talent are all looking to secure a spot for 2025-2026.

Amanda Tollemache, category manager, says: “Each season we are always excited about what lies ahead in terms of the quality of the field, which is always more important than the quantity.

“With the Bridgestone GR86 Championship, we continue to see high demand and high quality amongst those interested in running and with only limited cars and spaces it made sense to open registrations promptly and to officially start to build the field for the next season.

“We’ll have another awesome prize package, the racing is guaranteed to be close and we should once again see the best of our current and future driving talent take the next step of their careers in the championship.”

Many drivers and teams have retained their line-ups for season two but there are still lease and new cars available for when the season starts at the end of October.